Die-working machine

ABSTRACT

A die-working machine featuring a plurality of die-working stations grouped together in side-by-side relation and operating from a common drive means. Each die-working station is equipped with a dieholder and a toolholder, the movements of which can be adjusted independently of the other stations. The dieholder is rotatably driven about one axis and is supported for driven angular oscillatory movement about either of two selectable pivot axes transverse to its rotation axis. The toolholder is adapted to hold either a needle or a wire tool that works a die secured to the dieholder, which toolholder is driven rotatably about an axis intersecting the dieholder pivot axes and is also reciprocable along its axis of rotation.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Karl B. Gelfand Mexico City, Mexico; Max Rovinsky. North Bellmore. N.Y. [211 App]. No. 772,310 [22] Filed Oct. 31. 1968 [45] Patented July 13, 1971 [73] Assignee National Wire Die Co., Inc.

New York, N.Y.

[S4] DIE-WORKING MACHINE 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl..; 76/4, 51/46,125/30.5 [51] lnt.CI 821k 5/20 [50] Field of Search 76/4; 125/305; 51/46, 50

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,441,004 5/1948 Bieberich 125/305 UX Primary Examiner- Bernard Stickney A!torneylrving Seidman ABSTRACT: A die-working machine featuring a plurality of die-working stations grouped together in side-by-side relation and operating from a common drive means Each die-working station is equipped with a dieholder and a toolholder, the movements of which can be adjusted independently of the other stations. The dieholder is rotatably driven about one axis and is supported for driven angular oscillatory movement about either of two selectable pivot axes transverse to its rotation axis. The toolholder is adapted to hold either a needle or a wire tool that works a die secured to the dieholder, which toolholder is driven rotatably about an axis intersecting the dieholder pivot axes and is also reciprocable along its axis of rotation.

"1s 268 A 12 25B -l7 15 18 X 21 2O 5 19 22 28 27 PATENTEDJUL13I97I 3,592,084

SHEET 1 or 2 H62 as INVENTORS Karl B. Gelfand Max Rovinsky ATTORNEY PATENTED JUL 1 3 I97! SHEET 2 OF 2 DIE-WORKING MACHINE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to equipment for working dies, and more particularly to a die-working machine that can be used for performing various types of die-recutting operations, such as resizing, reblending, rounding and finishing of dies commonly used in the wiredrawing industry.

An example of a typical prior art die-working machine and the procedures involved in performing such recutting operations upon a wiredrawing die is given by U.S. Pat. No. 3,331,263 issued to K. B. Gelfand et al. In that particular machine, the die is worked by the action of a tool in the form of a wire which is threaded through the die and reciprocated as the die rotates about a preset axis that can be either parallel or inclined with respect to the line of wire motion.

The die-working machine of the present invention can be constructed either as a single die-working station machine, or as a multistation machine having a plurality of die-working stations grouped together in side-by-side relation and operated from a common drive means. Each station is equipped with a dieholder and a toolholder, both supported by a modular base frame. The movements of the dieholder and the toolholder associated with each station can be adjusted independently of adjustments made on the dieholder and toolholder for any other station. This is extremely advantageous in that it allows dissimilar operations to be perfonned at the various stations and thereby allows a multistation machine to be used where several different size dies are to be recut, or where different operations are to be performed on a mixed group of dies.

In each station, the dieholder is rotatably driven about one axis, and is supported for simultaneously driven angular oscillatory movement about either of two selectable pivot axes transverse to its rotation axis. The toolholder has a spindle that is rotatably driven about an axis generally, but not necessarily, intersecting the dieholder pivot axes, and is also reciprocably driven along its axis of rotation. In addition, the toolholder is adapted to grip and hold either a needle or a wire tool that works a die secured to the dieholder. The die is thus worked in accordance with its movement relative to whatever tool, needle or wire, is employed, this relative movement being established by the combination of the rotary and pivotal movements of the dieholder, and the rotary and reciprocating movements of the toolholder.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which is described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. I is a schematic side elevation view partly in section, of a single station die-working machine unit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic frontal elevation view of the die-working machine unit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic frontal elevation view of a multistation die-working machine incorporating a plurality of the machine units shown in FIGS. I and 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the die-working machine of FIG. 3,,and illustrates the arrangements for driving the toolholders and the dieholders thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 1 and 2 show a basic die-working station unit which is capable of performing various types of die-working operations, such as recutting, ripping, reblending, resizing,

rounding, polishing and finishing, upon a single die 11 that is supported and held by a die adapter head 12.

The unit 10 has a modular type base frame 13 that serves to support the die adapter head 12, a toolholder means 14, and the various parts employed to effect the prescribed movements of said die adapter head 12 and toolholder means 14.

Die adapter head 12 is supported on a spindle 15 by bearings 16 for rotation relative to spindle 15 and frame 13. Spindle I5 is received in a bushing 17 that is supported by a collar 18 connected to a yoke 19. To allow a certain degree of adjustment in the height of the diehead l2, spindle 15 is slidable with respect to bushing 17 and can be axially positioned relative thereto by loosening both a lower locking nut 20 and an upper locking nut 21, turning a knob 22 at the lower end of spindle 15, until the desired position of diehead I2 is attained and then tightening the nuts 20 and 21 to secure spindle l5.

Yoke 19 is pivotally connected to an upright plate 23 by means of a pin 24 which can be inserted through either one of two bushings 25A, 258 provided in plate 23, and extended into a corresponding bore 26A, 268 provided in yoke 19. Yoke I9 is oscillated about the axis of its pivot connection to plate 23 by means of a cam 27 that is rotatably driven by a worm wheel 28 that in turn is driven by a worm 29 mounted on a shaft X for rotation therewith.

Diehead 12 is rotatably driven by means of a belt 30 that is driven by a pulley 31 mounted on a shaft Y for rotation therewith. Thus, the die 11 held by diehead 12 will rotate about the spindle 15 axis and will simultaneously sway with diehead 12 as yoke 19 is oscillated, the amplitude of the swaying motion being dependent upon whether the yoke 19 is connected for pivoting about its upper pivot axis, as when pin 24 is in bushing 25A and bore 26A, or about its lower pivot axis, as when pin 24 is in bushing 25B and bore 26B.

The combination of diehead 12, spindle 15, bearings 16, bushing 1'7, collar 18, and yoke 19 can be regarded as a dieholding means. Such dieholding means accordingly is supported by the base frame 13 and plate 23 thereof for both rotation relative thereto and for pivotal movement relative thereto about either one of a plurality (expediently two), of selectable pivot axes.

The toolholder means include a spindle 32, a universal 33 connected to spindle 32 and a pin vise or chuck 34 connected to universal 33. Spindle 32 is supported by frame 13 in bushings 35 for rotation relative thereto and for reciprocating movement relative thereto along its axis of rotation. The rotation axis of spindle 32 substantially intersects both of the available pivot axes of yoke 19.

On spindle 32 there is mounted for movement therewith a collar part 36 having a circumferential groove 37 and an end face 38. Spindle 32 is rotatably driven by means of a belt 39 that passes around groove 37 and around a pulley 40 mounted on a shaft W for rotation therewith. An idler pulley 41 mounted to swing with a crank 42 pivotally connected to frame 13 serves to maintain sufficient tension in belt 39 as spindle 32 reciprocates.

The reciprocatory motion of spindle 32 is derived from a cam 43 mounted on a shaft Z for rotation therewith. Cam 43 engages a lever means 44 that is pivotally connected at 45 to the frame 15 and has an extended kicker shoe 46 that engages end face 38 of collar 36. As the cam 43 rotates, kicker shoe 46 periodically bears against end face 38 to lift the spindle 32 to its uppermost position, and recedes from end face 38 to allow spindle 32 to return to its lowermost position, the end face 38 acting as a follower for kicker shoe 46. The amplitude of the reciprocatory movement imparted to spindle 32 by the rotation of cam 43 can be adjusted by turning a knob 47 on the end ofa rod 48. The rod 48 has a threaded portion 49 received through a threaded bore 50 provided in a plate member 51 of frame 13, and has a free end 52 that bears against an upward extension of lever means 44. As rod 48 is advanced toward lever means 44, the spindle 32 reciprocation amplitude will decrease, whereas when rod 48 is shifted outward from lever means 44, such amplitude will increase up to a maximum limit determined by the difference between the maximum and minimum radii of cam 43.

The tool 60 used in working the die 11 can be either a wire or a needle and is gripped by the chuck 3d and is positioned for contact with die 11. In any particular case, the work performed upon the die 11 will be determined by its movement relative to the tool 60, which relative movement will be established by the resultant combination of the rotary movement of diehead 12, the pivotal movement of yoke 19 and the choice of its pivot axis, the rotary movement of spindle 32 and the reciprocatory movement thereof.

It should be noted that the rotary speed of diehead 12 is established solely by the speed of shaft Y and the transmission ratio through belt 30. The oscillatory frequency of yoke 19, regardless of the choice of pivot axis, is established by the speed of shaft X and the transmission ratio of worm 29 and worm wheel 28. The angular oscillation amplitude of yoke 19 is independent of frequency and is established by the choice of pivot axis.

In the case of the spindle 32 and tool 60, the rotary speed thereof is established by the speed of shaft W and the transmission ratio through belt 39. The reciprocation frequency and amplitude of the spindle 32 and tool 60 combination are independent of each other, the frequency being established by the speed of shaft land the amplitude being established by the shape of cam 43 and the position of the adjustment rod 48.

As exemplified by FIGS. 3 and d, a plurality of single dieworking station units can be grouped together in side-byside adjoining relation to one another to form a multistation die-working machine 100 in which the shafts X, Y, Z and W are extended for driving in unison similar elements of the several stations 10 and are common to all stations 10.

Two separate and independently operable motors 101 and 102 are provided for driving the machine 100. Motor 101 serves for driving the several dieholder means of machine 100, and motor 102, which is preferably a variable speed motor, serves for driving the toolholder spindles 32 of machine 100.

For such purposes, motor 101 is provided with a sprocket 103 and a sprocket 104 is mounted on shaft Y so that the shaft Y is rotatably driven by motor 101 via a chain belt 105 passing around sprockets 103 and 104i. Rotary driving power is transferred from shaft Y to shaft X by means of a pair of sprockets 106 and 107 and a chain belt 111% which passes around them. The speed of shaft X can be timed as desired in relation to the speed of shaft Y simply by selecting sprockets 106 and 107 having an appropriate pitch diameter ratio.

Motor 102 is provided with a pulley 109 for transmission of rotary power to an idler shaft 110 by a belt 111 which passes around pulley 109 and a pulley 112 mounted on shaft 110. R0- tary power is transmitted from idler shaft 11) t shaft W by means of a belt 113 that passe around a pulley 114 mounted on shaft 110 and a pulley 115 mounted on shaft W. Similarly, rotary power is transmitted from idler shaft 110 to shaft Z by means of a belt 116 that passes around a pulley 117 mounted on shaft and around a pulley 111' mounted on shaft Z.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes there is illustrated and described herein a specific embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made in the form of the invention covered by the claims, and that certain features of the invention may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of the other features.

What we claim is:

1. A die-working apparatus which comprises a base means, a dieholding means supported by said base means both for rotation relative thereto about one axis and for pivotal movement relative thereto about another axis, said other axis being one of a plurality of selectable fixed pivot axes, and a toolholding means supported by said base means for rotation relative thereto about a given axis and for reciprocatory movement relative thereto along said rotation axis, said toolholding means being adapted to hold and move a tool which contacts a die held by said dieholding means to work said die in accordance with the movement thereof relative to the tool as established by the combination of the rotary and pivotal movements of the dieholding means and the rotary and reciprocating movements of the toolholder means.

2. A die-working apparatus according to claim '1 wherein said toolholding means includes a spindle rotatable about an axis which substantially intersects the pivot axis of said dieholding means.

3. A die-working apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said dieholding means includes a yoke pivotally connected to said base means and a head supported by said yoke for rotation relative thereto, said head being adapted to hold the die to be worked.

41. A die-working apparatus according to claim 3 including drive means connected to said dieholding means to rotate said head and to oscillate said yoke about its pivot axis.

5. A die-working apparatus according to claim 1 including drive means connected to said toolholding means to rotate said spindle and to reciprocate same about its axis of rotation, said drive means for the toolholding means being operable independently of the drive means for said dieholding means.

6. A die-working apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said drive means for the dieholding means includes a rotatable cam which engages said yoke to oscillate same.

7. A die-working apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said drive means for the toolholding means includes means defining a follower secured to said spindle for movement therewith, a rotatable cam, and lever means engaged by said cam for movement thereby and disposed for engagement with said follower to impart reciprocatory movement to said spindle in response to the rotation of said cam.

8. A die-working apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said lever means is adjustable to selectively vary the amplitude of the reciprocatory movement imparted to said spindle. 

1. A die-working apparatus which comprises a base means, a dieholding means supported by said base means both for rotation relative thereto about one axis and for pivotal movement relative thereto about another axis, said other axis being one of a plurality of selectable fixed pivot axes, and a toolholding means supported by said base means for rotation relative thereto about a given axis and for reciprocatory movement relative thereto along said rotation axis, said toolholding means being adapted to hold and move a tool which contacts a die held by said dieholding means to work said die in accordance with the movement thereof relative to the tool as established by the combination of the rotary and pivotal movements of the dieholding means and the rotary and reciprocating movements of the toolholder means.
 2. A die-working apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said toolholding means includes a spindle rotatable about an axis which substantially intersects the pivot axis of said dieholding means.
 3. A die-working apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said dieholding means includes a yoke pivotally connected to said base means and a head supported by said yoke for rotation relative thereto, said head being adapted to hold the die to be worked.
 4. A die-working apparatus according to claim 3 including drive means connected to said dieholding means to rotate said head and to oscillate said yoke about its pivot axis.
 5. A die-working apparatus according to claim 4 including drive means connected to said toolholding means to rotate said spindle and to reciprocate same about its axis of rotation, said drive means for the toolholding means being operable independently of the drive means for said dieholding means.
 6. A die-working apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said drive means for the dieholding means includes a rotatable cam which engages said yoke to oscillate same.
 7. A die-working apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said drive means for the toolholding means includes means defining a follower secured to said spindle for movement therewith, a rotatable cam, and lever means engaged by said cam for movement thereby and disposed for engagement with said follower to impart reciprocatory movement to said spindle in response to the rotation of said cam.
 8. A die-working apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said lever means is adjustable to selectively vary the amplitude of the reciprocatory movement imparted to said spindle. 